Answered5 years ago
Do I need a return flight ticket to enter Thailand under the current regulations?
I arrived sandbox last night. Thai embassy Canberra made it clear I did not need return flight for coe. The counter staff at Singapore Airlines in Adelaide said that according to home affairs one was required. It did not stop me boarding and they said if thai immigration wanted a return flight just book a cheap one to Singapore. Air Asia has the for $150. But I held my nerve and got through without it.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around the necessity of having a return flight ticket when entering Thailand, particularly under the Certificate of Entry (CoE) requirements. While some travelers reported success boarding flights without a return ticket, others advised securing a cheap onward ticket as a precaution, citing inconsistency in airline and immigration practices. Several comments highlighted experiences with both visa-exempt entries and different visa categories, revealing a general lack of clarity about the enforceability of the return flight requirement.
23 repliesnewest first
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Nikk ******
Usually you need a return flight to get a tourist visa before you fly - it’s a requirement from the embassy to issue tourist visas
Mma *******
Great post for a hot topic. I was also given the CoE and Thai visa without having purchased an onward ticket. I ended up buying a $10 throw-away for peace of mind a few days before I flew out.
Jye *******
Yeah same i didnt need a return flight
Kevin *******
same here
Steve *******
I've arrived on 3 different visas and always been told I need a return ticket, but I have never been asked to show one at any point 😑
Grant ************
@Steve ******
in all my time I’ve only been asked once and that was before I was married and I didn’t have a visa either. Now that I’m married and get a spouse non o visa I have never been asked as it’s not a requirement. 
Jonas *************
Jag aldrig haft det problemet tidigare med flyg i Asien förutom med det här flyg bolaget från Saigon till Bangkok 2019
"Jetstar Pacific Airlines"
Men jag har läst någonstans på officiella texter att för exempt så ska man ha biljett ut egentligen. Men det verkar inte ens som om thailändska immigrationen (personer) själva vet om det.
"Jetstar Pacific Airlines"
Men jag har läst någonstans på officiella texter att för exempt så ska man ha biljett ut egentligen. Men det verkar inte ens som om thailändska immigrationen (personer) själva vet om det.
Maxim ***********
Onward tickets are $10, not $150. Many websites sell it.
Chan *************
thats a good news. thanks. i am thinking doing the same.
Stuart *********
@Chan ************
I wouldn’t. Flip a coin. You’ll either get on a flight and enter, or you won’t. I wouldn’t want to be the one at the check in desk furiously trying to buy a flight out, when you can pay $10 or so for an onward ticket. 
Niclas ***********
If you test negative they will release you on 1st Nov or 2nd?
Steve ********
OP@Niclas **********
no mate, my result was back in 4 hours. Free to move about phuket as I please. Another test on saturdayStuart *********
With short term visas (or exempt) some people manage with no return or onward ticket, but I’d say more either don’t get the CofE approval or their airline prevents them from boarding. Google an “onward flight ticket” service (price seems to be around $12) to be on the safe side.
Evan ********
Good to know so I assume you entered visa exempt huh?
Steve ********
OP@Evan *******
yepGreg ********
Good on Singapore Air for allowing that. Air Asia did let me board under same conditions once. However, I have known people had to buy a ticket there and then.
Michael ********
Greg ********
@Michael *******
I have never been stopped but had to prove lived in Singapore etc when no need for Brit Passport holders to have onward ticketMichael ********
@Greg *******
yes never had problems ever going to Singapore.Greg ********
@Michael *******
The Singapore Arlines info in Amsterdam was actually wrong. Was told by a guy in the system it often is in many airlines. Some junior Googles and types in requirements and check in staff have to follow it.Michael ********
@Greg *******
Two of those were in the Americas one europe, but i just got ticket to Singapore my son was in school there then anyway. Even showed my seamans book which should allow me Single ticket travel (worked a lot of times, list would be bigger without that) Steve ********
OP@Greg *******
it's one of those things at the moment. If I had to show a return ticket to Oz, singapore business class the only ones available at present. Greg ********
@Steve *******
My pal had to buy similar from Glasgow one time. He bought full price single back and then had it refunded. It had to be the fu price one to get the refund. Activity
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